James Harrison agrees to terms with Bengals

Harrison, the longtime Steelers linebacker, has agreed to terms with the division rival Bengals. It’s a two-year contract, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The deal comes shortly after Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he expected to sign either Harrison or veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby before the draft, but that the Bengals wouldn’t sign both of them. Hearing that may have been just the message Harrison needed to agree to terms before the Bengals lost interest.

And now the Bengals’ two games with the Steelers will get a little more interesting: Harrison sacking Ben Roethlisberger would certainly fire up the fan base in Cincinnati, and would lead to Harrison hearing plenty of boos in Pittsburgh. He’ll get to face the Steelers twice this year, and he’s already expressing his excitement.

Harrison was once very good, but he’s now old and slow. The saddest part is he still thinks he merits the pay of a younger, faster player and now harbors some kind of resentment against the team that coached him up and gave him a shot.

A. He really screwed himself by not taking the Steelers offer. Now he gets a lot less from the Bengals.
B. He won’t even get close to sacking Roethlisberger. He does not have the moves he used to have and the Steelers know him well. Remember, the offense played against him every week in practices and pre-season.

He may have declined in productivity but he’ll step up his play this upcoming season, especially against the steelers, and he still gets the browns twice, and only with a two year deal, Cincinnati could’ve made a great signing

Great signing for the Bengals. They have very good and underrated roster. Harrison brings championship/big game experience, as well as hate for Stealers for cutting him and my Ravens for passing on him twice

Funny, Steelers fans are coming out in flocks saying he doesn’t have talent any left, but yet a website by the fans “behindthesteelcurtian.com”.. Says “Don’t let people think he was cut because he’s in decline,” Neal Coolong who manages the great website Behind the Steel Curtain, said on Sunday when it looked like an agreement was in the works. “He looked much stronger the second half of the season, which, not coincidentally, was two months removed from knee surgery.”… Going on to say when he come back and was playing at full health, he was clearly the best defensive player on the Steelers team.. Was he worth what 7 million a year? No.. But let’s not lie about his level talent.. That is undeniable and he has showcased that already AFTER his surgery..

We don’t need him to be what he was in Pittysburg …. we have more talent than that what he adds is a veteran presence, attitude and toughness not to mention knowledge of division foes… So as the saying goes “My rival team is my new team cause my main team don’t want me no mo”…Trinidad James…lol something like that

Well I wanted Dansby over him because he’s a little younger and plays all 3 LB spots. But I cant complain too much, He had his worst year last year coming off injury and he still led the Steelers with 6 sacks. I think he also feels like he has a lot to prove because everyone in the world is saying he’s done (especially his previous fans)

Bengals do have Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap to worry about blocking already. Add Harrison in the mix and I see the Bengals with the most sacks in the NFL AGAIN this year!

Meh. This just makes the Steelers’ game-planning for the Bagels that much easier.

But fear not, gentle readers, fans of the Bugles will continue to talk loud, talk proud, boast about all the Super Bowls they’ve won–uh, played in–uh, the playoff games they’ve won over the last 20 years–uh, whatever you boast about when you have nothing about which to boast.

No reason for him to be motivated to play the Steelers. They offered him way more than the Bengals will end up giving him I guarantee that. Suddenly all these hypocritical fans think Harrison is Lawrence Taylor when before he was old. Lol

He gave pittsburgh fans everything he had, and one of the most memorable plays in SB history. He didnt demand his release or become a huge problem…he just made a (wrong) judgement call about his market value. Best of luck to you, James!

Hope they sign Dansby now, that would be some shrewd negotiating by Marvin Lewis and the Bengals to have tricked Harrison into signing for what he’s worth and turn around and sign Dansby as well. I’m 99.9% sure this won’t happen but there is that 0.01% chance…..

I think i’m going to be sick.. my favorite player over the last 7-8 years is now a bungle.. They are third on my list of most hated teams behind the ratbirds and cowgirls. I don’t know how to enjoy the steeler bengal rilvary games now.. I hate free agency.. Then again, without it we would not have had James “Silverback” Harrison in the first place.. gonna be a long season for my boys. just keeping it real

There are women’s D2 college basketball teams that could not just beat, but DESTROY the Bengals at football. And adding a has-been like Harrison would just make it easier.

Pittsburgh rules, while Cincinnati fights it out with Cleveland, Philly, and Baltimore as the most embarrassing city for NFL players to live in and have to pretend being proud to represent. Its like a vortex of sports suckitude, right there in the mid-northeast. With Steel City standing alone, dominating all.

Big talk out of raven fans who’s team barely won the division, split with the bungles, lucky to split with the steelers, and barely managed to beat the browns twice. Your team lost way more then you gained, Elvis was nice but still underwater. The steelers may have a down year but I can see them doing better then the ravens and the bungles should pull off a division title this year.

No dog in this fight, but I know Cincy has a lot of aggression at the LB position now with Harrison and Burfict. If that animosity between PIT and Harrison has teeth, he’s going to feast on the Steelers. That front seven might be good enough to put CIN into the elite of the AFC next year because that offense is only going to get better.

Good luck to James. Bungals may sweep the Steelers this year the way things are going. It’s been a tough off season and I don’t see even a glimmer of hope for the future. Ugh. Seems pretty evident to me Colbert benefitted from Cowher’s input on personnel decisions. We’re just starting to see the impacts of that. Please, Mr. Rooney, make a change…Mike ‘the sports cliche machine’ Tomlin needs to get in line at the unemployment office.

This would be a big signing for the Ben Gals if it was the Harrison of three years ago and before. He is slow, injury prone, and average at best now. He does have the attitude of a Pit Bull, but the bite of a toy Chihuahua. Should be good for a couple of helmet to helmet penalties in crucial moments, and a few jump on the pile tackles, or a half a sack next season. Good luck with the playoffs next few years Cincy, join the steelers at the bottom of the AFC north.

Wow…AFC North is going to be interesting this year! While the Ravens are still going to be tough, the Bengals will give everybody in this division a real run for their money but I would never count the Steelers out and the Browns now have the best defensive coordinator in the NFL so should be some good football!

I guess Steeler fans forgot old Joey Porter. He had his best season (at least stat wise) for the Dolphins. So yes, the Steelers have cut ties with at least one player a bit too early. That being said, Harrison will be a SAM on run downs and occasional pass rusher. They aren’t asking him to do much, besides add a little nasty to an effective, but a bit vanilla defense.

jmblosser82 says:
Apr 19, 2013 6:31 PM
Big talk out of raven fans who’s team barely won the division, split with the bungles, lucky to split with the steelers, and barely managed to beat the browns twice. Your team lost way more then you gained, Elvis was nice but still underwater. The steelers may have a down year but I can see them doing better then the ravens and the bungles should pull off a division title this year.

===================================

That’s World Champion Ravens to you bud. Oh, and that split with the Bengals might have had something to do with the Ravens resting Flacco, Rice and many others after only two series. Even with the backups in the score was still 23 to 17.

Baltimore and Cincy will be playoff teams, yet again, while your steelers are stuck in the 6-10 and 7-9 range. Good luck in salary cap purgatory.

there is no way he’ll play an entire season anyway, maybe we’ll see him once this year lol enjoy going no where with the rest of your career along with mike Wallace! and coming back for a one-day contract when retirement comes….. nobody plays for the love anymore, its all a business sadly!

Isn’t it interesting that now that Harrison, is no longer with Worthlessbooger & Co, he’s suddenly “over-the-hill”, not worth much, on his last legs, ready for the retirement home, etc. Two weeks ago, he was a beast, best player we got, etc. Sounds like sour grapes, methinks.

big talk out of a steelers fan whose team went 8 and 8 and have done nothing to get better. and talking about loyalty in sports. if the steelers were so loyal to their players as you say then why not honor harrison’s contract? its a business. as far as harrison goes i am sure if used properly he has a lot to offer. plus we know of 2 games this year he will absolutely be ready to go

He was a heart and soul guy who worked his tail off, and he also played through a lot of pain and injuries that keep other players in street clothes.

James gave us some epic seasons of play and made some absolutely spectacular plays for the Black & Gold. He won NFL Defensive MVP and could have won a second.

And as everyone knows, he set one hell of a tone in between the white lines – and – outside them as well.

What a player.

Much gratitude to Debo for what he did for the Black & Gold.

I hope my Steeler Nation brothers and sisters recognize what he did, and don’t act like scorned babies about it. For the majority of us, monetary compensation (and organizational respect) are key considerations in navigating one’s career path.

Good luck Cincy — you guys got the REAL DEAL, and unless he gets hurt — the Queen City is going to see some fireworks out of 92. That cat detonates on people, and I see two more strong seasons out Debo.

Foozie:
In addition to Joey Porter, Kevin Greene and Chad Brown, there also was Mike Merriweather, who went on to have an outstanding career as a Viking.

realpitbull:
Loyalty?
The Steelers stuck it Harrison by refusing to honor a contract they and Harrison had agreed upon.
The Steelers didn’t ask Harrison to restructure his deal. Instead, they demanded that he take a hefty pay cut.
That’s simply no way to treat a six-year starter, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a Defensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl game-changing, difference-maker.
Unfortunately for the Steelers’ pathetic offense, the disloyal Steelers organization hasn’t seen the last of James Harrison.
I suspect Harrison will have the last laugh. And I personally wish him nothing but the best.

It’s a business therefore it is about cash! You think the owners are loyal when players get cut without guaranteed money. Rookies salary caps in place so veterans can make more? C’mon man, crock o s%^t! Veteran free agents are getting shafted left and right for younger unproven players because there cheap! Get your money old man. This will be the last you may see!

@84sg1
Lol. You are just dfferent but its ok. The world would be a boring place without people like you

@timmons94,, please tell that to james harrisons face. I’m sure he wont slap u silly but its that kind of talk that motivates him. Look how he plays against the Ratbirds. The team that cut him..u are a steelers fan so u should know this. Harrison is a motivated player. Everytime they say his old and slow he shows up. Your steelers will get embarrassed on both primetime games. That’s right..check the schedule

Good signing. This guy has enough pride where im sure he will perform well at least for this year in hopes of proving Pittsburgh wrong. Theyre not going to enjoy facing him. I think its a win as long as they didn’t throw a lot of guaranteed money at him

This is on Tomlin. He wanted to go with Worilds at LB and show everybody how smart he was to draft him in the second round even though the kid couldn’t even crack the starting lineup. Say what you want about Harrison he still has some gas in the tank and just seeing him across the scrimmage line still will make plenty of guys aware of his presence. Cannot say the same thing about Jason Worilds. It will be a long year for my black and gold unfortunately. All the best to Silverback. You were and are a true beast.

This move does surprise me a bit as Harrison doesn’t really fit their scheme and teams sign a seasoned vet like this when they want to make one last shot at a title run. Bengals aren’t in that position. They are making title runs for sure but they are young enough that it’s not their last shot. Not sure if they will go all the way as there is some tough teams in AFC but wouldn’t be surprised if they are in playoffs again and make past the first round. Maybe he’ll be a situational player. I just hope those situations never come up against the Ravens.

Steeler fans are the most fair weathered and sour grapy fans on the planet. I just hope Emmanuel Sanders knows how the fans trashed him during the time it appeared he might go to the Patriots. They have no loyalty to anyone and do nothing but talk about those six rings, which are actually four net* rings, three of which were awarded in ancient times when they could get away with a lot more cheap shots. Of course, Hines Ward was the king of cheap shots when you think about it, so that probably accounts for the sole net ring they got in the last 10 years.

Yes, I’m a longtime Bengals’ fan. I just don’t like the fact that it seems to be acceptable for NFL franchises to sign players to (often long term) contracts, and then decide NOT to pay the agreed amount! This is blatantly deceitful, and contractually wrong. I don’t care how old, productive, etc., a player is at that point in his career…it’s crooked business. I didn’t care were James Harrison finally went. He was another NFL Player that just isn’t allowed to play out his agreement. I’m very excited to have him as a member of my favorite team, and I hope all works out well for him. James Harrison is a Father, and as a Father myself, it is important for us to set examples…especially when it comes to keeping your word.

randallflagg52 | Apr 19, 2013, 6:08 PM EDT
Can’t wait to see him sack Ben. Maybe he could sack Nofool while he’s at it, that would be awesome.

I bet that would get just as excited as you were while watching a group of Baltimore cowards beat an out numbered Red Sox fan…..you need help dude. You give even the raven fans a bad name. But hey with 52 in your handle no one expects morals.

Isn’t it interesting that since now James signed with another team, some people say he is now the beast that will murder Ben and the Steelers, but meanwhile the same people were saying he was old, slow, injury prone and washed up last year?

I would have liked to see James stay a Steeler, I think he probably has some gas left, but players move on and so do the teams.

Thanks for your service, James. I’ll always be proud of your work in the Black and Gold and you’ll always have your place here in the ‘Burgh. In that case, be careful what you wish for. You are now the hunted. BAD MISTAKE.

Steelers fans are just bitter and a bunch of classless clowns. Check out James Harrisons facebooks page. They have posted a bunch hateful and I mean hateful comments. Making personal attacks against a man that gave his blood, body, sweat and tears for your city and team for 10 years. Now he moves on and you all come swinging at him as if he murdered someone in that ugly steel city. Its embarrassing because the female fans from pittsburgh are wishing him the best and thanking him for the memories but the male fans are saying, “lets just be boys and throw dirt on this guy” .gosh!

@edisbetter- you’re right, dumerville is a better signing, mainly due to age though. Bengals are still one if the youngest teams in the league. We didn’t bring Harrison in to fix our d, he’s going to be a role player, on a d that returns most of our starters, and was top 5 or 6. He’s certainly better than manny Lawson who he is replacing.

I love all the hate from the steelers fans!! They make no sense.. Harrison wont get to Big Ben?? Have you seen your offensive line??? Hes old and slow?? Remember your team wanted to keep him, they just wanted him to take a pay cut which he thought was crap considering he has been one of your best defensive players for years!! Steelers fans keep hating, September 16th will be here soon enough, and we know whats gonna happen on MNF!!

I love it Bengals sign one guy that’s a little older and the Ravens fans now say they’re over the hill like the steelers c’mon man I’m almost sure the average age of the Bengals roster is younger than the Ravens. Also Dumervil isn’t going into his prime he’s at the tail end of his prime he will be watching the play-offs in January with the rest of the Ravens at his 30th birthday party.

i think its a great signing for the bengals. harrison isnt what he used to be but he has lots to offer a young team. and there will be at least 2 games where his intensity will be off the charts. as far as the comment on loyalty…where was the steeler loyalty in honoring his contract. not a knock on the steelers. just how its done. you cant call out a player and not a team. and nfnd…really? a fat raven? and you wonder why you are considered nothing more than a joke

scoobies05 | Apr 20, 2013, 3:15 PM EDT
i think its a great signing for the bengals. harrison isnt what he used to be but he has lots to offer a young team. and there will be at least 2 games where his intensity will be off the charts. as far as the comment on loyalty…where was the steeler loyalty in honoring his contract. not a knock on the steelers. just how its done. you cant call out a player and not a team. and nfnd…really? a fat raven? and you wonder why you are considered nothing more than a joke

Ah now you call me a joke…..to quote “enough with the cheap insults” very sensitive about large raven d-tackles. You don’t have any skin to be called thin…relax dude you are very sensitive. Not afraid to throw trash but unwilling to duck when it’s thrown back at you. Can’t have it both ways…like you say deal with it.

Nofool, you are the definition of the word joke. You post on EVERY SINGLE article involving the Ravens, and now I assume bengals, scroll through the comments and insult people for what they say. Over the internet mind you (like a true coward). Act your age old man, not your shoe size.

I read this garbage just to read all the hare towards the Steelers..Like Katt Williams says “If you not hated, you not doin ya MF’n job” We’ve been doin our job for years now! The Only thing that kept us from more success in the 90s was the QB spot and we still got to multiple AFC championship games under Cowher just couldn’t get over the hump. We will never fall back into being a punching bag like in the 80s and will always compete for the AFC north. The fait of the Bengals and Ravens always will depend on what we do.

Being hated is not necessarily a badge of honor. Sometimes it comes from just acting hateful. Steelers fans are getting their just desserts for acting the way the have all these years. I can’t wait to see their team get crushed this year. I know the Elite Joe ” Montana” Flacco can’t wait to see their withering secondary run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Buck, buck, buck. Yikes!